A Spotlight on Vendors Who Upcycle

Where to shop for jewelry components made from found objects, upcycled materials, vintage surplus, and more!

As we explore different ways to make more eco-conscious jewelry during the month of June, we wanted to highlight some vendors of products who also have a commitment to going green. The four vendors spotlighted below were at the Bead&Button Show this month selling their wares, but we encourage you to visit their websites and see what products they may offer that can take your jewelry to the next level. They may also have a presence at a show near you!

SPATHOSE.COM

We visited the Spathose.com booth and talked with owner Scott Durfee. In our video, he shows readers some of the beads, art and accessories made from sustainable palm trees and other upcycled materials in which his company specializes.

SANDY SCHOR

A mainstay at the Bead&Button Show for as long as I can remember, Sandy Schor sells vintage overstock components and all sorts of cool found objects. If you're lucky enough to be in the Fort Worth area, you can make an appointment to visit their warehouse, but the rest of us can explore their online selection at beadsbysandy.com or check out some finished jewelry made from vintage components or some amazing pendants at sandyschorjewelry.com.

I don't know where Sandy's staff finds all of this magical stuff, but if an array of Bakelite, walrus tusk, vintage cufflinks and 50's-era cup chain is the stuff of your dreams, then you should try to seek them out at one of the many shows they attend. I don't know if it's possible to capture the sheer quantity of unique, one-of-a-kind items that they have for sale at any given time, but flip through the photos below for a taste.

SANDY SCHOR sells antique jewelry, beads, chain, cabochons, buttons and so much more. Check out these photos of treasures that they had for sale at the 2017 Bead&Button Show, and visit their website to learn more about where you can shop.

Row after row of brass, bronze, and other base metal components spark my imagination. There are pieces here that could be used alone (maybe a bead or two) to make fast earrings, or so many other things that could be worked into a much more elaborate design.

TRINKET FOUNDRY

Trinket Foundry was started in Cathy Collinson's garage in 2007, and has been selling upcycled, recycled and green jewelry-making components ever since. Headquartered in Northfield, MN, they travel to regional shows and also sell online at www.trinketfoundry.com.

The components that Cathy makes and sells come from old steel file cabinets, discarded silver serving platters, bottle caps, tin containers, beer and wine (and other glass) bottles, and so much more. The resulting pieces are colorful, playful and create art out of items that would otherwise have wound up in a landfill.

TRINKET FOUNDRY sells a wide variety of components that could be turned into so many different styles, from kitschy earrings with beer logos to sophisticated pendants made from upcycled glass. Explore all these lovely things that they brought to the 2017 Bead&Button Show.

You'll recognize most of these logos right away. These charms and beads are made from beer caps, beer cans, soda caps, and more.

NANA AND NINA

Nana and Nina was a new vendor at the Bead&Button Show this year, and was set up in our Artisan Pavilion where we highlight up-and-comers and one-of-a-kind handmade components. The owner, Maria Barnet, creates beads from upcycled, repurposed and found materials, using paper, resin and polymer. I didn't get a change to meet Maria, but I'll be watching her Etsy shop closely to see what she comes up with next!

NANA AND NINA created these lovely focal pieces in bright colors, great patterns, and more muted neutrals. I would never have guessed that she was using hardware elements in these pieces if I hadn't picked them up and turned them over. These are the pieces that she displayed at the Bead&Button Show in 2017.

These components used brightly colored designs (from paper, maybe?) and had a smooth, glossy finish.The donuts used hardware store components as the base, while the rectangles were a similar grade of metal. I'm assuming Marie uses resin to achieve this look -- and to marvelous effect!